“Our mission is to promote the quality and quantity of durum grain production in Southern Australia.”

Good weather provided successful day for Mid North Crop Walk

Approximately 35 interested farmers and industry representatives attended the Mid North Crop Walk which commenced at Roseworthy College Trial Site after which the group had an enjoyable lunch at the Roseworthy Hotel, and subsequently visited the Turretfield trial site. The day began with an unexpected visit from Ramesh Segaran from URAF, University of Adelaide with his drone which he demonstrated and spoke to the group regarding the value of this asset and its uses in agriculture and how these drones are used on trial sites.

“Sky-High: Looking down from a drone shot at the Roseworthy Durum field day on the 7th September 2016, where the SAGIT-funded durum wheat vs bread wheat gross margin trials are sown. These trials, along with several others were discussed. Thanks to Ramesh at URAF, the University of Adelaide for taking the time to talk drones with the audience and capturing this image.”Alistair Pearce then presented the Durum versus Bread Wheat gross margin trials which is supported by SAGIT, with Durum likely to present a significantly higher gross margin to Bread Wheat this season. The gross margin sensitivity analysis trials compare 4 Bread wheats with 4 Durum varieties.

Dr Jason Able followed presenting the CAIGE CIMMYT trial which is a project in collaboration with GRDC. This trial was looking at the differing pathology and maturity of the Durum lines that are being developed in overseas nurseries before being imported here to Australia for evaluation. There are more than 150 unique elite entries in this trial.

Rhiannon Schilling and Lucy Cunningham from University of Adelaide spoke on the Dispersive Soils trial which is also funded by GRDC. The girls showed us how the ph ranges from ph7 at the soil core and at one metre this changes to ph10, showing an alkalinity disposition. Salt was not identified as a major issue for this site (only moderate at depth) but they are interested in looking at water logging. The drone is being used to do thermal imaging on these trials.

Hugh Wallwork spoke on the Crown Rot trials that have been undertaken with the University of Adelaide breeding program, and provided a brief background and history of the trials. Hugh then spoke on the current status with these trials which are consistently demonstrating good resistance and which have showed good adaptation in the field in 2015 and which are now in yield trials with SADGA new grant funding from SAGIT.

The attendees then proceeded to the Heat Chamber to view the Heat Tolerance trials which are funded through SAGIT. Stuart (AGT) and Jason informed us that Durum lines were stacked up against Bread Wheat lines and spend three eight hour days at 36 degrees with 40 kilometre northerly winds. In 2015, Aurora proved quite useful and while losing some yield potential, results suggested that it was a good line for many of the key determinants used when measuring heat tolerance.

Dr Jason Able in the Heat chamber discussing the heat tolerance trial

Beyond lunch, the day was concluded at Turretfield with Marg Evans presenting the SAGIT/SADGA Crown Rot trials looking at yield loss with relevant crown rot and also plant density trials.